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OraQuick Oral HIV Test Registered 13 False Positives in November
The L.A. Gay & Lesbian Center has discontinued use of the oral version of the rapid OraQuick HIV test over growing concerns regarding its reliability. In November, 13 people who took the OraQuick oral test at the Center falsely registered as HIV positive. Clinics in San Francisco and New York have also reported large numbers of false-positives with the popular test.
The Center provides an average of 800 free HIV tests each month and has offered clients two options for rapid testing: the OraQuick oral test and the OraQuick fingerstick test. Clients also have the option of taking the OraSure oral test and the traditional blood test, both of which deliver results in seven days. Since the rapid oral test is the least invasive and delivers results in about 20 minutes, it is the favorite of about 80% of those who test at the Center. HIV testing counselors will now suggest the OraQuick fingerstick test, which tests a drop of blood rather than oral material, but also delivers results in 20 minutes.
Those who registered as HIV positive with the oral test were immediately re-tested with a different diagnostic, as is the case with all preliminary HIV tests, to determine their actual status. The wait for the results from a confirmatory test, however, can be agonizing.
"If the public loses confidence in the reliability of HIV tests, they are just going to stop testing," said Quentin O'Brien, director of health and mental health services at the Center, "and we can't allow that to happen. Fortunately, we have noticed no irregularities with the rapid fingerstick test and have already been successful in convincing clients to opt for that test now."
In Los Angeles there are an estimated 15,000 people who are unaware they are HIV infected.
The L.A. Gay & Lesbian Center offers free HIV testing to everyone at its McDonald/Wright building in Hollywood and at The Spot in West Hollywood.
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